Biniam Girmay Wins Trofeo Alcudia 2022

The Eritrean beats Molano and Nizzolo at Challenge Mallorca

Biniam Girmay overwhelmed by victory at Trofeo Alcudia — The 21-year-old Eritrean was ‘overwhelmed’ by a victory at Trofeo Alcudia. (Getty Image)

Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) won the Trofeo Alcudia on Thursday on Spain’s Mallorca island. The Eritrean out-kicked a star-studded field to win on the second day at the Mallorca Challenge. Ryan Gibbons (UAE Team Emirates) crossed the line second, with Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel-Premier Tech) third.

“I am overwhelmed by this victory and the euphoria of all members of the team,” Girmay said. “I started the year with a lot of confidence, but it’s fantastic that I was able to beat some of the world’s best sprinters here in my second day of racing.”

Just incredible to start the season like this pic.twitter.com/kt2KpR6pud

— Biniam Girmay (@GrmayeBiniam) January 27, 2022

The 173.2km course looped in and around Port d’Alcudia, with several of the top WorldTour teams opening up their 2022 seasons this week.

Bora-Hansgrohe, Movistar Team, and UAE TeamEmirates controlled the closing 10km to set up the finale.

In what was the second of a series of five one-day races, an early breakaway pulled clear in the hilly course, but the peloton’s heavyweights collaborated to bring things together going into the final 20km.

BINIII! 🥳🇪🇷 Biniam Ghirmay confirms the hype and wins Trofeo Alcudia with what looked like a VERY convincing sprint. @IntermarcheWG has a jewel on their hands, no doubt. Gibbons finished 2nd and Nizzolo 3rd with Ackermann managed only 8th. #TrofeoAlcudia pic.twitter.com/E9zfktpeNz

— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) January 27, 2022

“I had to survive the long climb in the final. I really suffered, but thanks to the help of my teammates with the positioning I was able to start the sprint with good legs,” said Girmay, who became Eritrea’s first worlds medalist in men’s road racing last fall.

“I am grateful for their support throughout the race, we are a really close group. I hope to keep the momentum going in my next races of the Mallorca Challenge this Saturday and Sunday.”

The victory comes a day after Brandon McNulty won the opening leg Wednesday in a dramatic, 60km solo attack to claim his first win since joining UAE Team Emirates.

The five-day Mallorca Challenge continues Friday with the 171km Trofeo Pollença, looping around the northern coast and ending at Port d’Andratx.